If your Pokémon addiction has become too much, it might be time to step away.
Pokémon Go has only been available for a few days, but we're already seeing examples of people taking it way too far: Trespassing, falling into ditches, you name it. If you're worried that maybe you might be taking this whole "gotta catch 'em all" thing a bit too far, here's how to step back.
Option 1: Delete the app
If you want to take a break from Pokémon Go but don't want to demolish your creatures into digital dust, you can simply delete the app from your phone; this will remove the immediate temptation, but you can always come back at a later time when you feel your self-control has returned.
Option 2: Delete your account
If you want no more of this Pokécraze, deleting your account just requires filling out a simple form on Niantic's website.
- Go to Niantic's website.
- Fill in your email address, subject line as "Delete account", and provide your Pokémon nickname.
- Check the four (yes, four) boxes to delete your account.
- Delete the Pokémon Go app off your device.
{.update} Keep in mind: As Niantic's checkbox warnings state, once you delete your account, the process is irreversible. You can't ever get your Pokémon back, nor will you be able to reuse your email address or nickname once your profile has been deleted.
If you ever want to return to the madness and sign up for an account once more, you can re-download the app and follow our signup instructions. Just remember: You won't be able to use your original email address or Google account, and you'll have to create a new
Questions?
Have any other questions about deleting your account in Pokémon Go? Let us know below!
Reader comments
How to delete your Pokémon Go account
18 articles about a single game on one page.
I haven't tried it - but I know what bookmark I'm deleting.
You won't be missed
Not like there is really anything else going on. But agree. Way overboard when not many children read this site.
This game is probably played more by adults, just because it's Pokemon doesn't mean it's only for children
That makes this even sadder. Thanks for clarifying.
LOL. This is the best article of them all.
"If you ever want to return to the madness and sign up for an account once more, you can re-download the app and follow our signup instructions. Just remember: You won't be able to use your original email address or Google account..."
The link to the signup instructions tells you to sign in with your Google account.....??
You forgot to mention that they send you an e-mail asking you if you *REALLY* want to delete your account. You have to respond to that e-mail saying, "DELETE" for them to take any action on your request. Also, it's a good idea to double check your google account app's permissions. I double checked mine using this site's instruction (http://www.howtogeek.com/262402/pokemon-go-is-painfully-insecure-revoke-...) and even though I had deleted the app and my account Pokemon Go still had full access to my Google account.
I got the e-mail I replied with delete they sent my another saying your email was delayed. Message will be retried one more day. Did anyone else get this email. I see that it does not have access to my Gmail when I used that link. Just wanna know how will I know when they delete my account.
I got the same email. After a few days I got an email that my response of "DELETE" failed permanently. I've gone in and deleted everything I can. This final step seems to be flawed. I'll try to respond "DELETE" again and see what happens.